The Steelers take on the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium in a key AFC matchup.
The Steelers are 6-5, while the Bills are 7-4, both fighting to win their respective divisions.
The Bills know they have a lot to prepare for, including their offensive line taking on the challenge of T.J. Watt and the defensive front, which is what they are talking about in Buffalo this week.
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Coach Sean McDermott on linebacker T.J. Watt:
"A lot of respect. Comes from a great lineage of great pass rushers and football players. Tough. High energy. Plays with a high motor. Intense.
"He's not the only one they have. They have three outside that do well together and then they have a couple guys on the inside with (Cameron) Heyward there. And they blitz well from the linebacker position.
"So, they bring it from a lot of different areas, and it starts with that front."
Quarterback Josh Allen on the challenge the Steelers defense and T.J. Watt present:
"They've got a bunch of guys on their front who can go. Obviously, you've got to know where No. 90 is at. Seems like you turn on the tape and everybody is bringing four hands, chipping and bringing a guard. They're doing whatever they can to not let him disrupt the game as much as you can.
"Then you leave yourself susceptible to the other guys that they've got. They fly around. Their back end had been making some plays.
"I think Patrick Queen is one of the best linebackers in the game. They're a really good unit. Obviously, led by their defensive line and their defensive front.
"We've got to be ready for whatever they throw at us and put together a good game plan."
McDermott on what the offensive line needs to do to account for the Steelers pass rush:
"We'll see where things go this week with the lineup overall. You carve out a plan every week. This week, they have a really good pass rushing combination of players. We have to make sure we are on it from that standpoint."
McDermott on what the approach is between now and Sunday dealing with injuries on the offensive line:
"You've got to be smart with it. Every game there is a different challenge. This week there is a challenge Pittsburgh's defense presents. They're well coached. We've got to make sure we are going through in the right progression without giving away things. Making sure we are crossing the T's, dotting the I's in these right areas."
Offensive tackle Ryan Van Demark on possibly facing T.J. Watt:
"I think the game plan this week is awesome coming off the edge. You've got to be ready to get out there and block him and do well. He's a great athlete. I am excited to get some reps against him if I am on the right."
McDermott on the level of urgency for the game:
"Urgency is up. That is important any type of year. It's mid-to-late November, heading into December. Every game is important. Not that it isn't any time of year. Every game is important. It's a fun time of year when you're in the hunt."
McDermott on if they prepare for both Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph at quarterback this week:
"We're preparing for both. We'll see how it turns out. But there is no definitive answer right now."
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